Issue 36, September 2012 UKRAINIAN REDEMPTORISTS OF THE YORKTON PROVINCE FULLY ALIVE A Bishop Velychkovsky Martyr’s Shrine Publication EXTRAORDINARY VISITATION Patriarch Sviatoslav His Beatitude Visits Shrine Patriarch Svia- toslav had an op- portunity to make The year 2012, marks a personal visit to an important year in the Shrine. We the history of the were very hon- Ukrainian Greek ored with his Catholic Church in presence. The Canada. It commemo- Shrine staff, Fr. His Beatitude examining secret rates the 100th anniver- John, Mary Jane, documents found in a garden in Lviv sary of the appoint- Kseniya and Iris ment of the 1st Ukrain- had the priviledge to give the Patriarch a tour of the mu- ian Catholic Bishop to seum and shrine. Patriarch Sviatoslav, who is only 41 Canada, Blessed years old, listened intently as we shared the story of Bishop and Martyr Blessed Vasyl. His Beatitude watched the video and was Nykyta Budka. delighted to hear the voice of Blessed Vasyl at its conclu- Blessed Nykyta was beatified together with Blessed Vasyl on June 27, 2001. On the occa- His Beatitude sion of this important Patriarch Sviatoslav, Head of the Ukrainian Greek anniversary, the Catholic Church Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, un- der the leadership of Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk, de- cided to hold the Synod for all the Ukrainian Catholic Bishops of the whole world in Winnipeg. Fr. John explains the Episcopal staff which Blessed Vasyl received from Metropolitan Josyf Slipyj sion. He was amazed at the “incorruptibleness” of In This Issue: Blessed Vasyl’s holy body and the fragility of Patriarch visits Shrine - 1 the vestments in which he UGCC Synod - 2 was buried. When shown Pilgrimage 2012 - 4 the documents that were Thanks to Contributors - 6 found buried in a garden Unity 2012 - 8 in Lviv, he enthusiasti- His Beatitude is enthralled with the KGB documents, Prayer to Blessed Vasyl - 8 while the Shrine staff shares their findings cally read the responses that Blessed Vasyl had In particular, he was very interested in the icons, the 3rd class relics, and the cross, which had wept perfumed oil. At the conclusion of his Beatitude’s one hour visit, we pre- sented him with a 1st Class relic of Blessed Vasyl. The adoration that the Patriarch showed to this relic was inspir- ing and humbling. The Patriarch receives His Beatitude praying before the holy relics a 1st Class relic of Blessed Vasyl of Blessed Vasyl He held the cross with the relic close to his received from Cardinal Josyf Slypij. He perused through heart for the rest of the day, refusing to put it down any- the volumes of material where. His reverence made us more aware of the great which we had obtained from priviledge we have in working daily in the Shrine and the the “KGB” archives in Kyiv. gift that we have - the holy relics of Blessed Vasyl. The His Beatitude engaged in Patriarch’s visit was a great blessing for us all. conversation regarding par- ticular documents. In the Shrine chapel, the Pa- triarch spent time in prayer before the holy relics of Blessed Vasyl. With wonder, he listened to some of the graces and miracles that have Patriarch Sviatoslav already occurred through examining the Blessed Vasyl’s intercession. “oil-weeping” icon Patriarch Sviatoslav with the Shrine staff UGCC SYNOD IN CANADA The Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church took place in Manitoba, Canada from September 8th to the 15th, 2012. Aproximately 40 Ukrainian Catholic Bishops from all over the world were in attendance. The preparatory committee in con- sultation with his Beatitude Patriarch Sviatoslav decided to hold the opening ceremonies (taking an oath) at the Bishop Velychkovsky Martyr’s Shrine. This historical event took place on Saturday evening on Sep- tember 8th 2012. By invitation the Redemptorists and their ministries: Partners in Mission, Shrine volunteers and Wel- come Home volunteers, were present to witness this historical event at St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church. The bishops The altar upon which the Synodal Bishops took their oath began the evening by praying the Moleben to the Holy Spirit. Then, each bishop, beginning with His Beatitude, solemnly took the oath before the relics of the martyrs: Blessed Nicholas Charnetsky, Blessed Vasyl Velychkovsky and a 2nd class relic (a hand cross) of Blessed Nykyta Budka. After the oath, each bishop received a candle with Blessed Vasyl’s image. The bishops solemnly proceeded to the Shrine where they placed their candle on Blessed Vasyl’s sarcophagus. There they spent some time in personal prayer. 2 The Bishops process to the Shrine Chapel carrying Blessed Vasyl candles The bishops receive a brief tour of the Blessed Vasyl museum After praying at the Shrine, the bishops proceeded to the museum where they were given a short tour describ- ing the important artifacts of Blessed Vasyl. They were shown the spoon upon which Blessed Vasyl celebrated the Eucharist while imprisoned in Vorkuta. The bishops were intrigued with the simple staff that Blessed Vasyl re- ceived from Cardinal Josyf Slipyj, who consecrated him to the episcopacy in a Moscow Hotel room. This staff was the symbol of the Episcopal authority being passed on to Blessed Vasyl. Some of the bishops noted that February 4, 2013 will mark the 50th anniversary of this momentous clandestine event. They were most intrigued with the KGB documents that we had obtained from Kyiv in 2009. The bishops congratulated the staff on the fine job in form- ing such a wonderful museum. They encouraged us to con- tinue our work in publications and spreading the knowledge of Blessed Vasyl to others. We were very blessed and hon- The bishops placed their candles on the sarcophagus of Blessed Vasyl. They remained lit throughout the Synod ored to have the Ukrainian Catholic Bishops of the world in the Bishop Velychkovsky Martyr’s Shrine. The Heirarchy of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church before the opening Pontifical Divine Liturgy at Ss. Volodymyr and Olga Catherdral. Photograph by N. Iwan 3 Velychkovsky Pilgrimage to Ukraine Our third Pilgrimage to Ukraine began on August 20th to September 4th 2012. We visited and prayed at the places where Blessed Vasyl lived, worked and suffered. Fifteen youthful pilgrims from across Canada and the United States were part of our pilgrimage. It was a time filled with bless- ings and graces. Hearts were touched and changed as we travelled through the land of the Ukrainian martyrs. Blessed Vasyl’s story became more alive as we walked in his foot- steps, as we met people who knew him personally, and as we became more aware of the sufferings of a people under the atheistic Soviet regime. Some of our pilgrims have shared their experiences with us. 2012 Pilgrims with friends at Blessed Vasyl’s apartment in Lviv “The faith and spirituality shown was very powerful and difficult to describe. The prayers and reflections have certainly deepened my faith. I will have many, many wonderful memories from my pilgrimage that will keep me focused and strengthen my spiritual journey. It was a safe, happy and inspiring travel.” Sonia “A memorable experience was in Zarvanytsia. I felt great peace as I walked off the bus into this important pilgrimage site. It was incredibly moving to have been a part of the evening candle light procession with other pilgrims from across Ukraine and abroad. Everyone sung with one voice and raised their candles in unity. I also en- joyed the way of the cross which our group did on our own, in the pitch dark, with nothing but a candle to light our way up the steep hill. The next morning we attended the Sunday morning liturgy. The church was packed and they had two choirs singing, it was really heaven on earth for me. I’ll admit, to my surprise, I got a little choked up as they began to sing “Bipyю” (our creed). It made me think about what I believe in, and what Blessed Vasyl, and the other Ukrainian Catholic Martyrs died for.” Brent Pilgrims before the prison where Blessed Zenon Kowalyk was crucified “My outstanding moments of the pilgrimage was meeting the people who knew and worked with Blessed Vasyl and meeting the Nuns that worked with Blessed Vasyl, hearing their stories about him and how they came to serve Christ, knowing that at the time choosing Christ could mean imprisonment and torture if caught. I am always interested in hearing stories of people who follow their hearts and take the road less travelled no matter where it will take them. This, of course, was true for Blessed Vasyl. We also met Sister Julia who works with the children at an orphanage. I can't imag- ine how frustrating her work is. She visits the children and brings them supplies. She has to walk a fine line because if she has any concerns or questions regarding the orphanage, she could be stopped from seeing the orphans. Seeing her with the children was awesome. They really care about her and were so excited to see her. She is making a difference. There are still people who are trying to bring God to people no matter Celebrating Divine Liturgy in Kovel where they might be and how many obstacles could be in their way. It was where Blessed Vasyl ministered from 1928-1935 very inspiring.” Natasha “This is the first major pilgrimage I ever went on. After this experience I want to make a major pilgrimage every 5 years at least! More than that if I can! The graces I have re- ceived from this pilgrimage are unbelievable.